Rainy days and Sunny days...

We're at the end of Fall and the beginning of Winter. I love watching the seasons change. Probably because the changing of the seasons are much more subtle in Southern California than it is elsewhere in the United States.

So, with the first big rain storm hit, I grabbed the light stand, speedlites, my camera and Terrence out to the local park to document it all. What kid doesn't like playing in the rain? It was a fun way to let lil.T experience the water dropping from the sky and for myself to practice shooting in extreme conditions like that.

Using my studio umbrella to shield himself from the rain.

But behind each rain storm is beautiful, gorgeous sunny San Diego weather. With Terrence and I up so early, I decided to kid nap him and take him to La Jolla to watch the waves and enjoy the morning. With his kids steamer in hand, we headed to the cove to play.

These birds don't know what's coming...

Apparently, they don't care as we soon found out.

The birds at the cove are definitely not afraid of people. Instead of flying away, they simply just walk fast and keep their distance from you.

The people in the morning are nice. This person actually stopped his vehicle to chat with Terrence. Here, he wave hello as he passes by.

Love this shot of Terrence chasing a seagull into the trees

But the birds here are so used to getting chased everyday. It easily got away.

Terrence quickly found a stick to keep him occupied instead.

Quick taste to make sure it's really a stick.

A writing tool, caveman style.

The tree trunks are so unique. I love it's form and how it frames Terrence.

A closeup b/w.

It was high tide when we got to the cove. So we stayed mostly on the rocks.

We found a spot that the tides couldn't get to.

T's facial expression just cracks me up in this shot.

I love this capture of lil.T. I think he was about to take a bite.

He got so many people talking to him and complementing him today. A couple of college girls kept looking at him and saying cute and turn around as they walk down the street to enjoy his cuteness some more. Of course he was oblivious to all this but I thought it was funny.

Holding on for dear life.

When we first came down these stairs in the morning. There were three people who ran up and down it, 170 times. It's a steep and long series of stairs too. The picture doesn't show it all.

lil.T got a pine cone that he took home with him.

Electronic lock. No problem letting him press the keys right? Wrong, I hear a series of beeps, then the latch unlocking. He apparently unlock the door somehow? What does a dad do? Take a quick snap, pick up his soon and book it out of there.

Love the mood of these shots...

Big marble that hovers on water and you can spin and roll. Lil.T had a great time with it, including hugging it and getting all wet.

Late to the crawling game...

Well, it took lil.J all of his first year before he can adequately crawl. Compared to Terrence who started taking his first walking steps at about 1yrs old. However, seems like all that time spent wrapped up so he doesn't scratch up his face allow him to observe the spoken language more closely. As he seems to mimic your words a lot more clearly than Terrence did at the same age. I suppose he may be late to crawl but will quicker to speak.

Of course, it doesn't take them very long until they become a speed demon on the ground. Which makes it a challenge to take photos in front of a backdrop.

Take these as evidence:

Crawling too close to the light results in overexposed skin tones. Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Out of focus shots

Running to the edge of the background and mooning the camera in the process.

More out of focus shots...

Off the edge right

And off the edge left

But it's all worth it to nail a shot like this.

Thankful to be giving Thanks...

It's nice to have a day where the country is unified in remembering to give thanks. I guess when you are around family for the holiday, you can get a bit nostalgic. Or perhaps it's the tryptophan that is causing it; but grandma was reminicing 30yrs prior. I was about Terrence's age when we left Vietnam in hope of a better life. Seeing the little munchkins, Terrence and now Calvin this year, running about and thinking about that statement by grandma really put things into perspective for me this year.

My dad said it best before he carved the turkey. We look back and we are thankful for everything that we have accomplish and have achieved. Thanks to each of our father and mother, who made it possible for each generation to have more and in turn able to give thanks each year as a family.

Thanks to Nancy who roasted the Turkey and Susan who made the rib roast. They were terrific. Julie's side dishes and dessert went great with the meat. Grandma kept complimenting the food and even asked for the recipe so she can share it with her eight other children. This is a big deal from someone who isn't used to "Americanized" food.

And a special thanks to dad and mom, who always do so much each year for each of their children. And continue to do so now for their grand children.

Here are a few pictures from the night.

A favorite game at family gatherings. It's call, pass the baby.

It's all about these moments for me as a photographer. It happens so quickly, but to capture it for all time, it's priceless.

There was nothing interesting for black friday this year. I love people watching but this year, I get to watch Terrence for a few. While his mom gets ready for work, we ran out and got coffee... plus a couple of these shots to take advantage of the early morning light.

I have been enjoying this little oasis for a long while now; each time I pull into the Starbucks parking lot. With Terrence, camera and perfect lighting, I decided it was time to make the shot I was envisioning in my head. That didn't happen but it was fun nonetheless and we got these shots to cherish instead.

A photo tip: If you want your 2yr to stand still enough for a photo. Give them something to do. Forget about posing them. The picture and magic is in moments they create on their own.

Love this series. I like capturing sequences because the frames themselves can tell a story. Here, Terrence matches up the left he pulled off the tree to the leaves on the piece of branch I gave him.

Anyways, I have lots of photos to share. If you like lifestyle photography and can't hire a professional photographer, it makes sense to dress your kid up cute and come to any gathering that I am around. You know I love taking photos. Ok, off with Terrence to make some more.